Pin Bowl bowl series

This artefact, acquired for the Crafts Council’s permanent collection in February 2013, represents ongoing research into a novel moulding method, ‘Reconfigurable Pin Tooling’ (RPT). RPT involves matrixes of repositionable pins capable of moulding an infinite variety of shapes. A comprehensive contextual review has traced the history of the concept, known also as ‘Universal Tooling,’ over 150 years. Due to the technical challenges associated with RPT, few practical applications have been established. Despite the historical difficulties in implementation, RPT is recognised as having significant commercial and creative potential, and has been the subject of several PhDs (Wang 2009; Munro 2006; Walczyk 1996) and major government-funded research projects in the USA (Papazian 2002)., As well as expanding the knowledge about the practical application of RPT in general, this research successfully developed an innovative method for creating glass artefacts via RPT. The resulting series of glass pieces follows an ongoing exploration into the practical and creative potential of the researcher’s pioneering approach to RPT. Key aspects of the research concern the use of digital technologies, not only for designing and fabricating of new RPT systems, but also for the accurate setting of RPT moulds. Bespoke parametric software tools have been created for both purposes., A new type of IOS App database template was developed to meet the rigorous and specific needs of the project recording quantitative date alongside the researcher’s reflections in rich media formats, all compiled in multi-thread records., A portfolio supporting this research includes papers delivered at Creativity and Innovation in Glass (Wolverhampton) and The 7th ICDHS Conference, (Brussels)., Pieces have been exhibited at leading national and international venues including: ‘Exampla' 2011 (Munich), ‘Tool at Hand,’ (Milwaukee Art Gallery then touring leading US venues) and ‘Collect’ 2012- 2013 (The Saatchi Gallery, London).